Chiral monophosphites as ligands for assymetrical synthesis

ABSTRACT

Certain chiral monophosphites and their monothio derivatives are suitable as ligands in the asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation, hydroborination and hydrocyanation of prochiral olefins, ketones and imines.

[0001] The present invention involves the surprising result that certain chiral monophosphites and their monothio derivatives are excellent ligands in the asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation, hydroborination and hydrocyanation of prochiral olefins, ketones and imines.

[0002] The catalytic enantioselective synthesis has gained industrial importance in the last 20 years, for example, transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetrical hydrogenation (B. Cornils, W. A. Herrmann, Applied Homogeneous Catalysis with Organometallic Compounds, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 1996; R. Noyori, Asymmetric Catalysis in Organic Synthesis, Wiley, New York, 1994). As catalysts, there are usually employed rhodium, ruthenium or iridium complexes of optically active diphosphanes, such as BINAP (R. Noyori et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1980, 102, 7932), DuPHOS (M. J. Burk et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 9375), BICP (X. Zhang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 1799) and BPE (M. J. Burk et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1996, 118, 5142). A disadvantage of these systems is the relatively high preparative expenditure in their preparation and, when necessary, optical resolution of the racemic ligands, and the often insufficient enantioselectivity observed in the catalysis. In addition, phosphanes are sensitive towards oxidation, i.e., they relatively readily react with atmospheric oxygen, resulting in destruction of the ligand. Therefore, it is the object of industrial and academic research to prepare new and particularly well performing ligands in as simple a way as possible.

[0003] Certain chiral diphosphinites (T. V. RajanBabu, et. al., J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 6012) and diphosphonites (M. T. Reetz, A. Gosberg, R. Goddard, S.-H. Kyung, Chem. Commun. (Cambridge) 1998, 2077) have also been employed as ligands in transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation. In contrast, little is known about chiral diphosphites as ligands in such reactions. Some diphosphites derived from carbohydrates or tartaric acid result in poor enantioselectivities in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of prochiral olefins (ee=1-34%) (H. Brunner et al., J. Chem. Res. Synop. 1980, 76; D. J. Wink et al., Inorg. Chem. 1990, 29, 5006). This is regrettable because phosphites are known to be significantly less sensitive to oxidation than phosphanes, and consequently, they need not be permanently handled under exclusion of air, i.e., under inert gas conditions. Therefore, it appeared interesting to learn that certain chiral diphosphites derived from dianhydro-D-mannitol in part yield very high enantioselectivities in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of prochiral olefins (ee up to 98%) (M. T. Reetz, T. Neugebauer, Angew. Chem. 1999, 111, 134; Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 1999, 38, 179). However, there is a disadvantageous result in that so high an enantioselectivity is exceptional, and in particular, that the dianhydro-D-mannitol is relatively difficult to obtain and consequently expensive.

[0004] These drawbacks do not apply to the present invention in which chiral monophosphites and their monothio derivatives are used as ligands in the asymmetrical hydrogenation, hydroborination and hydrocyanation of prochiral olefins, ketones and imines.

[0005] The synthesis of these chiral ligands has been described in several publications (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,744A; WO9529153A1; WO9303839A1; U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,206). Their modular structure allows the preparation of a wide variety of novel chiral monophosphites in an enantiomerically pure form.

[0006] However, the use of chiral monophosphites as ligands in metal-catalyzed hydroformylation (see, e.g., WO9529153A1), hydrosilylation (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,938; WO9303839A1), cyclopropanation (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,938; WO9303839A1) and aldol addition (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,938; WO9303839A1) did not result in any remarkable enantioselectivities in any of these cases (ee=10-26%). Nothing is known about the use of chiral monophosphites in hydrogenations. Although there are speculations (U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,938; WO9303839A1), these are not supported by experiments. In addition, the ee values obtained there are below 26% in all cases in hydrosilylation, cyclopropanation and aldol addition. Those skilled in the art considered that bidentate or chelating ligands which limit the degrees of freedom are required to enable high and industrially useful enantioselectivities (see, e.g., I. V. Komarov, A. Börner, Angew. Chem. 2001, 113, 1237; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2001, 40, 1197; E. N. Jacobsen, A. Pfaltz, H. Yamamoto, Comprehensive Asymmetric Catalysis, Springer, Berlin, 1999).

[0007] While the initially described chiral diphosphites and the “standard ligands” of the BINAP, DuPHOS and PennPHOS types (E. N. Jacobsen, A. Pfaltz, H. Yamamoti, Comprehensive Asymmetric Catalysis, Springer, Berlin, 1999) and mixed ligands, such as phosphane-phosphites or phosphonite-phosphites (M. T. Reetz, M. Pastó, Tetrahedron Lett. 2000, 41, 3315) are chelating in nature, and due to this property, yield high enantioselectivities, the ligands of the present invention are not chelating compounds having two donor sites.

[0008] Surprisingly, it has now been found that just the above described monophosphites and their analogous monothio derivatives are excellent ligands in asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation and result in high enantioselectivities. The ee values obtained are very often above 90%. Not only are the ligands easily prepared, but they also have a relatively high oxidation resistance.

[0009] In detail, the invention comprises monosphosphites (Y=O) and their monothio derivatives (Y=S) of types I to IV as ligands.

[0010] In the case of ligand class I, the compounds contain an axially chiral unit derived from binaphthyl with residues R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R^(1′), R^(2′), R^(3′), R^(4′), R^(5′) and R^(6′) which may independently represent the following groups: hydrogen (H), saturated hydrocarbons, optionally also functionalized and/or bridging (e.g., R¹+R²=—(CH₂)₄—), aromatic or heteroaromatic groups, which may also be functionalized and/or anellated and thus represent cyclic residues (for example, R¹+R²=R^(1′)+R^(2′)=ottho-phenylene; corresponding to 4,4′-dihydroxy-5,5′-bis(phenanthryl)), non-aromatic unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as alkinyl groups —C≡CR′, which may also be functionalized, silyl groups, such as —SiMe₃, halogens (—Cl, —Br, —F, —I), nitro (—NO₂) or nitrile groups (—CN), in addition to esters (—CO₂R′), carbonyls (—C(O)R′), amides (—C(O)NR′R″), amines (—NR′R″), ethers (—OR′), alkoxy (—OR′), sulfides (—SR′) and selenides (—SeR′) in which R′ and R″ are hydrogen, saturated or non-aromatic unsaturated hydrocarbons, which may also be functionalized, or aromatic residues, which may also be functionalized. In particular, the present invention also includes all combinations of the mentioned residues for R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R^(1′), R^(2′), R³′, R^(4′), R^(5′) and R⁶′ including all C₁- and C₂-symmetrical substitution patterns of the binaphthyl core. Further, one or more carbon atoms of the binaphthyl core may be replaced by heteroatoms, such as Si, O, S or N. Preferably, binaphthyl itself (R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H) serves as an axially chiral element.

[0011] In the case of the class of compounds II, the axially chiral unit is a configuratively stable biphenyl derivative. Configurative stability with respect to axial chirality is ensured if R⁴≠H and R^(4′)≠H (E. L. Eliel, S. H. Wilen, L. N. Mander, Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds, Wiley, New York, 1994). R¹ to R⁴ and R^(1′) to R^(4′) have the same latitude of variation as the residues R¹ to R⁶ and R^(1′) to R^(6′) in the case of class of compounds I. Preferably, however, R¹=R²=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=H and R³+R⁴=R^(3′)+R^(4′)=—(CH₂)₄— (corresponding to 5,5′-6,6′-7,7′-8,8′-octahydro-1,1′-binaphthyl, D. J. Cram et al., J. Org. Chem. 1978, 43, 1930). In ligands of type II, one or more carbon atoms of the biphenyl core may also be replaced by heteroatoms, such as Si, O, S or N.

[0012] In the case of the class of compounds III, the compounds contain an axially chiral unit derived from 3,3′-bis(indolyl) (X=N), 3,3′-bis(benzo[b]thiophenyl) (X=S) or 3,3′-bis(benzo[b]furanyl) (X=O). In these cases too, the substituents R¹ to R⁵ and R^(1′) to R⁵′ have the same latitude of variation as the residues R¹ to R⁶ and R^(1′) to R^(6′) in the case of the class of compounds I. The substituents R¹ and R¹′ are omitted in the cases where X=O and X=S.

[0013] In the case of the class of compounds IV, the compounds contain as an axially chiral unit a configuratively stable heteroaromatic system derived from 3,3′-bis(pyrrolyl) (X=N), 3,3′-bis(thiophenyl) (X=S) or 3,3′-bis(furanyl) (X=O), which is also known, as an axially chiral unit. With respect to residues R¹, R², R⁴, R^(1′), R^(2′) and R^(4′), there are the same possible variations as has been described for the residues R¹ to R⁵ and R^(1′) to R^(5′) of the class of compounds III.

[0014] In the case of the classes of compounds II and IV, it may also hold that R⁴=R^(4′)=H. In this case, a configuratively labile axial element is obtained, and chirality is achieved by using a chiral residue R.

[0015] The present invention includes all stereoisomeric forms of compounds I-IV.

[0016] In the chiral phosphites I-IV, the residue R is derived from achiral or chiral alcohols, phenols or hydroxyheteroaromatics (Y=O) or their sulfur analogues (Y=S) (V), all of which may optionally bear additional functional groups, such as amino, ether, thioether, halogen or ester residues.

RYH  V

[0017] In the simplest case, these are common alcohols (Y=O), such as methanol, ethanol, propanol or isopropanol etc., i.e., achiral alcohols consisting of C₁ to C₅₀ moieties. However, there may also be used chiral alcohols, such as 1-phenyl-ethanol, terpene, carbohydrate or steroid alcohols. Few examples of such monophosphites are known from the literature, for example, I with R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H and R=menthyl (P. H. Dussault et al., J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 1556). Functionalized alcohols, such as β-aminoalcohols or α-hydroxycarboxylate esters, are also possible. R may also represent an aromatic residue, and in these cases, RYH (V) means phenol-like compounds, typically phenol or α- or β-naphthol or substituted derivatives thereof, such as p-, m-, o-, alkyl-, aryl-, amino-, chloro-, bromo-, cyano-phenol. Compound I with R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H and R=phenyl is known from the literature (K. Fuji et al., Chem. Commun. (Cambridge) 1999, 2289). RYH (V) may also represent a hydroxyheteroarene, such as 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxypyridine, 2-, 3-hydroxyfurane or 2-, 3-hydroxythiophene.

[0018] For the corresponding sulfur compounds (Y=S), achiral as well as chiral thiols V may be employed. The residue R may be varied here in the same way as has been described for the alcohols.

[0019] To be able to perform the asymmetrical hydrogenations, hydroborinations and hydrocyanations according to the invention, catalysts or precatalysts must be prepared first by reacting the chiral monophosphites with suitable transition metal salts (especially metals of groups VIII and Ib of the Periodic Table). Typical representatives include the following compounds, with cod=η²,η²-,1,5-cyclooctadiene and cymol=η⁶-1-iso-propyl-4-methylbenzene:

[0020] These catalysts or precatalysts are not the only possibilities, but rather the cationic forms of the transition metal compounds which are usual in literature may also be used, for example.

[0021] Thus, the invention includes the application of such metal complexes in asymmetrical hydrogenation, hydrocyanation and hydroborination, especially of prochiral olefins, ketones and imines. For illustration, the following reactions may be mentioned as typical examples. Such products are industrially valuable, for example, as building blocks in the synthesis of chiral active substances (drugs, plant protective agents, etc.).

[0022] The invention will be illustrated without being limited by the following Examples:

[0023] Preparation of Monophosphite Ligands

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite Isopropyl Ester (I: R¹=R²=R³=R=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H; Y=O; R=CH(CH₃)₂)

[0024] At room temperature, 0.751 g (2.1 mmol) of (S)-2,2′-binaphthyl phosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Thereto were pipetted 160 μl (0.126 g, 2.1 mmol) of abs. isopropanol and 0.29 ml (0.212 g, 2.3 mmol) of abs. triethylamine at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.60 g (1.6 mmol, 74.9%) of product as a colorless powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz): 7.88-7.12 [12H], 4.41 (m) [1H], 1.21 (d) i=6.15 Hz [3H]; 1.16 (d) I=6.18 Hz [3H]; ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 75 Hz): 68.89 (d), I=13.6 Hz; 23.70 (d) J=3.2 Hz, 23.37 (d) i=4.0 Hz; ³¹P NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 121 MHz): 147.600(s); MS (EI, evaporation temperature 100° C.): m/z=374 (100%), 313 (22.5%), 239 (68.6%); EA: C: 73.21% (calc. 73.79%), H: 4.88% (calc. 5.11%),P: 8.67% (calc. ⁸.²7%).

EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite [(S)-1-phenylethyl] Ester (I: R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H; Y=O; R=(S)-1-phenylethyl)

[0025] At room temperature, 0.51 g (1.50 mmol) of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Thereto were pipetted 180 μl (0.183 g, 1.50 mmol) of abs. (S)-(−)-1-phenylethanol and 0.23 ml (0.167 g, 1.65 mmol) of abs. triethylamine at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.44 g (1.0 mmol, 66.6%) of product as a colorless powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz): 7.84-7.04 [17H], 5.27 (m) [1H], 1.44 (d) I=6.5 Hz [3H]; ¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 75 MHz): 65.25, 24.90 (d) I=3.1 Hz; ³¹P NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 121 MHz): 144.80(s); EA: C: 69.85% (calc. 77.05%), H: 5.95% (calc. 4.85%),P: 7.07% (calc. 7.09%).

EXAMPLE 3 Synthesis of (R)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite Neopentyl Ester (I: R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H; Y=O; R=CH₂C(CH₃)₃)

[0026] At room temperature, 0.67 g (1.90 mmol) of (R)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. toluene. Thereto were pipetted 0.5 ml (0.36 g, 3.67 mmol) of abs. triethylamine and 0.17 g (1.90 mmol) of neopentanol dissolved in 15 ml of abs. toluene at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. toluene. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.72 g (1.79 mmol, 94.1%) of product as a colorless powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): 7.90-7.82 [4H], 7.45-7.14 [8H], 3.58 (m) [1H], 3.36 (m) [1H], 0.82 (s) [9H]; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 121 MHz): 143.395 (s); MS (EI, evaporation temperature 110° C.): m/z=402 (73.49%), 332 (100%), 313 (18.69%), 268 (53.52%), 239 (28.97%); EA: C: 74.56% (calc. 74.62%), H: 5.72% (calc. 5.76%), P: 7.68% (calc. 7.70%).

EXAMPLE 4 Synthesis of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite (3-N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl Ester (I: R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H; Y=O; R=C₆H₄N(CH₃)₂=3-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)

[0027] At room temperature, 0.7 g (1.99 mmol) of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Thereto were pipetted 0.27 g (1.99 mmol) of abs. 3-N,N-dimethylaminophenol and 0.31 ml (0.22 g, 2.20 mmol) of abs. triethylamine at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.57 g (1.26 mmol, 63.5%) of product as a colorless powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz): 7.92-6.35 [16H], 2.72 (s) [6H]; ³¹P NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 121 MHz): 145.38 (d), J=85 Hz; MS (EI, evaporation temperature 150° C.): m/z 451 (100%), 315 (22.6%), 268 (⁴⁴.⁴%); EA: C: 73.84% (calc. 74.49%), H: 5.68% (calc. 4.91%), N: 3.45% (calc. 3.10%), P: 6.17% (calc. 6.86%).

EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite (N,N-di-iso-propylamino)ethyl Ester (I: R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H; Y=O; R=(CH₂)₂N(CH(CH₃)₂)₂=N,N-di-iso-propylaminoethyl)

[0028] At room temperature, 0.7 g (1.99 mmol) of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Thereto were pipetted 0.35 ml (0.29 g, 1.99 mmol) of abs. (N,N-di-iso-propylamino)ethanol and 0.31 ml (0.22 g, 2.20 mmol) of abs. triethylamine at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.52 g (1.13 mmol, 56.6%) of product as a colorless powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz): 7.89-7.10 [12H], 3.63(m) [2H], 2.79 (m) [2H], 2.51(t) [2H] J=7.3 Hz, 0.81 (d) [6H] J=4.9 Hz, 0.78 (d) [6H] J=4.9 Hz; ³¹P NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 121 MHz): 144.344 (d), J=85 Hz; EA: C: 72.79% (calc. ⁷3.18%), H: 6.51% (calc. 6.58%), N: 2.99% (calc. 3.04%), P: 6.83% (calc. 6.74%).

EXAMPLE 6 (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite [(S)-2-ethylcarboxy-2-ethyl] Ester (I: R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)R^(6′)H; Y=O; R=(S)-CH(CH₃)CO₂CH₂CH₃)

[0029] At room temperature, 0.62 g (1.77 mmol) of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. toluene. Thereto were pipetted 0.50 ml (0.36 g, 3.67 mmol) of abs. triethylamine and 0.20 ml (0.21 g, 1.77 mmol) of (S)-lactate ethyl ester at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. toluene. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.58 g (1.34 mmol, 75.8%) of product as a colorless powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): 7.92-7.80 [4H], 7.47-7.18 [8H], 4.62 (m) [1H], 4.16 (q) J=7.1 Hz [2H], 1.42 (d) 3=6.9 Hz [3H], 1.21 (t) I=7.1 Hz [3H]; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 121 MHz): 141.507 (s); MS (EI, evaporation temperature 130° C.): m/z=432 (87.41%), 331 (100%), 315 (31.30%), 268 (63.59%), 239 (31.11%); EA: C: 69.32% (calc. 69.44%), H: 4.04% (calc. 4.90%), P: 7.30% (calc. 7.16%).

EXAMPLE 7 Synthesis of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite (2-methoxy)ethyl Ester (I: R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)H; Y=O; R=CH₂CH₂OCH₃)

[0030] At room temperature, 1.43 g (4.1 mmol) of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Thereto were pipetted 0.32 ml (0.31 g, 4.1 mmol) of 2-methoxyethanol and 0.59 ml (0.46 g, 4.50 mmol) of abs. triethylamine at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. diethyl ether. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.92 g (2.35 mmol, 57.5%) of product as a colorless powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz): 7.87-7.08 [12H], 3.94 (m) [1H], 3.77 (m) [1H], 3.33(m) [2H], 3.21 (s) [3H]; ³¹P NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 121 MHz): 145.734 (s); MS (EI, evaporation temperature 135° C.): m/z=390 (100%), 331 (88.47%), 268 (65.78%); EA: C: 69.88% (calc. 70.76%), H: 5.49% (calc. 4.90%), P: 7.51% (calc. 7.93%).

EXAMPLE 8 Synthesis of 2,2′-biphenylphosphite [(S)-1-phenylethyl] Ester (II R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=H; Y=O; R=(S)-1-phenylethyl)

[0031] At room temperature, 0.76 g (3.04 mmol) of 2,2′-biphenylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. toluene. Thereto were pipetted 1.00 ml (0.73 g, 7.22 mmol) of abs. triethylamine and 0.37 ml (0.37 g, 3.04 mmol) of (S)-1-phenylethanol at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. toluene. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 1.00 g (2.97 mmol, 97.8%) of product as a yellow oil. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): 7.39-7.16 (m) [11H], 6.90-6.75 (m) [2H], 5.38 (m) [1H], 1.51 (d) J =6.5 Hz [3H]; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 121 MHz): 142.870 (s); MS (EI, evaporation temperature 65° C.): m/z=336 (13.53%), 232 (99.23%), 168 (15.83%), 139 (7.90%), 105 (100%), 79 (9.82%); EA: C: 71.51% (calc. 71.42%), H: 5.16% (calc. 5.09%), P: 9.14% (calc. 9.21%).

EXAMPLE 9 Synthesis of (R)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite Phenyl Monothioester (I R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)=R^(5′)=R^(6′)=H; Y=S; R phenyl)

[0032] At room temperature, 0.94 g (2.69 mmol) of (R)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite ester chloride was charged in 100 ml of abs. toluene. Thereto were pipetted 0.38 ml (0.28 g, 2.73 mmol) of abs. triethylamine and 0.28 ml (0.30 g, 2.69 mmol) of thiophenol at room temperature. After stirring over night, the precipitated colorless solid was filtered over a D4 frit and washed with 5 ml of abs. toluene. Subsequently, the filtrate was completely freed from solvent to obtain 0.99 g (2.34 mmol, 87.0%) of product as a yellow powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): 7.95-7.86 [4H], 7.57-7.20 [13H]; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 121 MHz): 217.733 (s); MS (EI, evaporation temperature 160° C.): m/z=424 (37.93%), 315 (100%), 268 (67.93%), 252 (26.63%), 239 (41.16%), 110 (10.85%); EA: C: 73.15% (calc. 73.57%), H: 3.88% (calc. 40.04%), P: 7.15% (calc. 7.30%).

[0033] Preparation of Metal Complexes

EXAMPLE 10 Synthesis of (η²,η²-cycloocta-1,5-diene)[(S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite (R)-(1-phenyl)ethyl Ester]rhodium(I) Tetrafluoroborate

[0034] At room temperature, 0.244 g (0.56 mmol) of [(S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite (R)-(1-phenyl)ethyl ester] and 0.277 g (0.56 mmol) of bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)rhodium(I) tetrafluoroborate were stirred in 30 ml of abs. dichloromethane for 20 h. Subsequently, the orange solution was completely freed from solvent. The residue was taken up in 20 ml of abs. diethyl ether, and the precipitated solid was filtered over a D4 frit to obtain 0.21 g (0.29 mmol, 51.7%) of product as a red-orange powder. Analysis: ³¹P NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 121 MHz): 137.520 (d, ¹J_(RhP)=247 Hz); EA: C: 59.80% (calc. 58.88%), H: 5.180% (calc. 4.53%), P 4.18% (calc. 4.21%), Rh 14.16% (calc. 14.01%).

EXAMPLE 11 Synthesis of (η²,η²-cycloocta-1,5-diene)bis[(S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite [(S)-2-butyl]ester]rhodium(I) Tetrafluoroborate ([Rh(cod)(I)₂]BF₄ with I: R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=R⁵=R⁶=R^(1′)=R^(2′)=R^(3′)=R^(4′)R^(5′)=R^(6′)H; Y=O; R=(S)-2-butyl; cod =η²,η²-cycloocta-1,5-diene)

[0035] At −78° C., 0.11 g (0.26 mmol) of Rh(cod)₂BF₄ was charged in 15 ml of dichloromethane, and a solution of 0.20 g (0.52 mmol) of (S)-2,2′-binaphthylphosphite [(S)-2-butyl] ester in 5 ml of dichloromethane was slowly added. The solution was slowly warmed to room temperature over 20 h, and the solvent was subsequently removed under vacuum. The remaining yellow oil was suspended in 5 ml of pentane and stirred for 24 h to form a yellow solid. The solvent was filtered off, and the solid was washed twice with 5 ml each of pentane and dried under vacuum to obtain 0.26 g (0.24 mmol, 92.3%) of product as a yellow powder. Analysis: ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 300 MHz): 8.11-7.13 (m) [24H], 5.70 (m) [2H], 5.23 (m) [2H], 4.35 (m) [4H], 2.19-1.21 (m) [10H], 1.15 (d) J=6.1 Hz [6H], 0.91 (t) J=7.4 Hz [6H]; ³¹P NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 121 MHz): 119.983 (d) J=257.6 Hz; MS (ESI/pos. in CH₂Cl₂): m/z=987 (100%) [M-BF₄], 877 (19.89%); EA: C: 62.280/% (calc. 62.59%), H: 5.14% (calc. 5.06%), P: 5.74% (calc. 5.76%).

[0036] Hydrogenations

[0037] General Protocol for Hydrogenation with Preformed Catalyst

[0038] In a round-bottom flask with a lateral cock, 1.0 ml of a 1 mM solution of the stated catalyst in dichloromethane was charged. To this, 9.0 ml of a 0.11 M substrate solution in dichlormethane was added. The solution was now saturated with hydrogen and stirred for the stated time, t, at room temperature under 1.3 bar of hydrogen pressure. 2 ml of the thus obtained solution was filtered over 150 mg of silica (70-230 mesh, activity grade I) and analyzed by gas chromatography.

[0039] General Protocol for Hydrogenation with Catalyst Prepared In Situ

[0040] In a round-bottom flask with a lateral cock, 0.5 ml of a 2 mM solution of Rh(cod)₂BF₄ in dichloromethane was charged. To this, 0.5 ml of a solution of the stated ligand L having the stated concentration c was added, followed by 9.0 ml of a 0.11 M substrate solution in dichloromethane. The solution was now saturated with hydrogen and stirred for the stated time, t, at room temperature under 1.3 bar of hydrogen pressure. 2 ml of the thus obtained solution was filtered over 150 mg of silica (70-230 mesh, activity grade I) and analyzed by gas chromatography.

[0041] Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Dimethyl Itaconate with Preformed Catalyst

EXAMPLES 12-13

[0042] Examples 12-13 describe the hydrogenation of the substrate dimethyl itaconate to form 2-methylsuccinate dimethyl ester according to the “General protocol for hydrogenation with preformed catalyst”. The exact reaction conditions and the conversions and enantioselectivities achieved are stated in Table 1. TABLE 1 Catalyst^([a]) [Rh(cod) (L)₂]BF₄ Configuration Time Conv. ee Ex. of L Residue R t h in %^([b]) in % 12. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 20 100 96.8 (S) 13. (S) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 20 100 94.0 (S)

[0043] Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Dimethyl Itaconate with a Catalyst Prepared In Situ

EXAMPLES 14-55

[0044] Examples 14-55 describe the hydrogenation of the substrate dimethyl itaconate to form 2-methylsuccinate dimethyl ester according to the “General protocol for hydrogenation with catalyst prepared in situ”. The exact reaction conditions and the conversions and enantioselectivities achieved are stated in Tables 2 to 4. TABLE 2 Ligand L^([a]) Conv. ee Ex. Config. Residue R Conc. c Time t h in %^([b]) in % 14. (S) CH₃ 2 mM 20 100 89.2 (S) 15. (S) CH₃ 4 mM 3 100 83.2 (S) 16. (S) CH(CH₃)₂ 2 mM 20 100 97.6 (S) 17. (S) CH(CH₃)₂ 4 mM 3 100 97.0 (S) 18. (S) (rac)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 98.8 (S) 19. (S) (rac)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 98.6 (S) 20.^([c]) (S) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 99.2 (S) 21. (S) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 98.8 (S) 22. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 98.2 (S) 23. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 96.8 (S) 24. (R) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 97.8 (R) 25. (R) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 96.6 (R) 26. (R) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 99.4 (R) 27. (R) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 96.8 (R) 28. (S) CH(C₆H₅)₂ 2 mM 20 100 92.0 (S) 29. (S) C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 96.6 (S) 30. (S) C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 97.8 (S) 31. (S) CH(CF₃)₂ 4 mM 20 55.0 72.0 (S) 32. (S) (CH₂)₄CH₃ 4 mM 3 100 94.2 (S) 33. (S) CH(CH₂CH₂)₂ 4 mM 3 100 97.4 (S) 34. (S) CH(CH₂)₄ (cyclopentyl) 4 mM 3 100 99.0 (S) 35. (S) Fluorenyl 4 mM 3 100 96.0 (S) 36. (S) C(CH₃)₃ 4 mM 3 100 91.4 (S) 37. (S) Naphthyl 4 mM 3 100 87.0 (S) 38. (S) (-)-Menthyl 4 mM 3 100 94.8 (S) 39. (S) (-)-Menthyl 4 mM 3 100 91.0 (S) 40. (S) C₆H₄N(CH₃)₂ (3-N,N- 4 mM 20 51.4 82.2 (S) dimethylaminophenyl) 41. (S) (CH₂)₂N(CH(CH₃)₂)₂ 4 mM 20 100 84.6 (S) (N,N- diisopropylaminoethyl) 42. (S) CH₂C₆H₅ 4 mM 20 100 98.2 (S) 43. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 4 mM 20 100 98.5 (S) 44. (R) (S)-CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 4 mM 20 100 98.6 (R) 45. (S) (S)-CHCH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 4 mM 20 100 64.4 (S) 46. (R) (S)-CHCH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 4 mM 20 100 97.4 (R) 47. (R) CH₂C(CH₃)₃ 4 mM 20 100 98.6 (R) 48. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)CO₂CH₂CH₃ 4 mM 20 100 91.0 (S) 49. (R) (S)-CH(CH₃)CO₂CH₂CH₃ 4 mM 20 84.0 67.8 (R) 50. (S) CH₂CH₂OCH₃ 4 mM 3 100 94.4 (S) 51. (R) CH₂CH₂OCH₃ 4 mM 20 100 95.1 (R)

[0045] TABLE 3 Ligand L^([a]) Residues Time t Conv. ee Ex. R^(3 and R) ^(3′) Residue R Conc. c h in %^([b]) in % 52. H (S)- 4 mM 20 100 11.8 CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ (S) 53. H (S)- 4 mM 20 100 30.0 CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ (R) 54. CH(CH₃)₂ (S)- 4 mM 20 100 15.6 CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ (R)

[0046] TABLE 4 Ligand L^([a]) Conv. ee Ex. Config. Residue R Conc. c Time t h in % in % 55. (R) C₆H₅ 4 mM 20 55.2 66.6 (R)

[0047] Enantioselective Hydrogenation of 2-acetamidoacrylare Methyl Ester with Preformed Catalyst

EXAMPLE 56

[0048] Example 56 describes the hydrogenation of the substrate 2-acetamidoacrylate methyl ester to form N-acetylalanine methyl ester according to the “General protocol for hydrogenation with preformed catalyst”. The exact reaction conditions and the conversions and enantioselectivities achieved are stated in Table 5. TABLE 5 Catalyst^([a]) [Rh(cod) (L)₂]BF₄ Configuration Time Conv. ee Ex. of L Residue R t h in %^([b]) in % 56. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 20 100 94.8 (R)

[0049] Enantioselective Hydrogenation of 2-acetamidoacrylate Methyl Ester with a Catalyst Prepared In Situ

EXAMPLES 57-80

[0050] Examples 57-80 describe the hydrogenation of the substrate 2-acetamidoacrylate methyl ester to form N-acetylalanine methyl ester according to the “General protocol for hydrogenation with catalyst prepared in situ”. The exact reaction conditions and the conversions and enantioselectivities achieved are stated in Tables 6 and 7. TABLE 6 Time Ligand L^([a]) t Conv. ee Ex. Config. Residue R Conc. c h in %^([b]) in % 57. (S) CH₃ 2 mM 20 100 72.8 (R) 58. (S) CH(CH₃)₂ 2 mM 20 100 94.8 (R) 59. (S) CH(CH₃)₂ 4 mM 3 100 93.0 (R) 60. (S) (rac)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 99.9 (R) 61. (S) (rac)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 92.4 (R) 62. (S) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 95.5 (R) 63. (S) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 100 95.6 (R) 64. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 93.3 (R) 65. (S) C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 80.6 (R) 66. (S) CH(CH₂CH₃)₂ 4 mM 3 100 94.8 (R) 67. (S) CH(CH₂)₄ 4 mM 3 100 96.6 (R) (Cyclopentyl) 68. (S) C(CH₃)₃ 4 mM 3 100 95.4 (R) 69. (S) CH₂(C₆H₅₎ 4 mM 20 100 88.9 (R) 70. (S) (S)- 4 mM 20 100 95.6 (R) CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 71. (R) (S)- 4 mM 20 100 95.6 (S) CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ 72. (S) (S)- 4 mM 20 100 90.6 (R) CHCH(CH₃) CH₂CH₃ 73. (R) (S)- 4 mM 20 100 92.8 (S) CHCH(CH₃) CH₂CH₃ 74. (R) CH₂C(CH₃)₃ 4 mM 20 100 93.0 (S) 75. (S) (S)- 4 mM 20 100 87.8 (R) CH(CH₃) CO₂CH₂CH₃ 76. (R) (S)- 4 mM 20 84.0 73.0 (S) CH(CH₃) CO₂CH₂CH₃ 77. (R) CH₂CH₂OCH₃ 4 mM 20 100 88.2 (S)

[0051] TABLE 7 Ligand L^([a]) Residues Time t Conv. ee Ex. R^(3 and R) ^(3′) Residue R Conc. c h in %^([b]) in % 78. H (S)- 4 mM 20 100 10.0 CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ (R) 79. H (S)- 4 mM 20 100 18.2 CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ (R) 80. CH(CH₃)₂ (S)- 4 mM 20 100 22.8 CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ (R)

[0052] Enantioselective Hydrogenation of (Z)-2-acetamidocinnamate Methyl Ester with a Catalyst Prepared In Situ

EXAMPLES 81-97

[0053] Examples 81-97 describe the hydrogenation of the substrate (Z)-2-acetamidocinnamate methyl ester to form N-acetylphenylalanine methyl ester according to the “General protocol for hydrogenation with catalyst prepared in situ”. The exact reaction conditions and the conversions and enantioselectivities achieved are stated in Table 8. TABLE 8 Ligand L^([a]) Time Conv. ee Ex. Config. Residue R Conc. c t h in %^([b]) in % 81. (S) CH₃ 4 mM 20 100 53.0 (R) 82. (S) CH₃ 2 mM 20 100 55.8 (R) 83. (S) CH(CH₃)₂ 4 mM 3 100 87.2 (R) 84. (S) CH(CH₃)₂ 2 mM 20 100 88.2 (R) 85. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 98.9 85.0 (R) 86. (S) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 91.7 84.8 (R) 87. (S) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 4 mM 3 97.2 88.6 (R) 88. (S) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 91.7 (R) 89. (S) (rac)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 87.8 (R) 90. (R) (S)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 92.2 (S) 91. (R) (R)-CH(CH₃)C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 100 86.6 (S) 92. (S) C₆H₅ 2 mM 20 69.5 68.4 (R) 93. (S) CH(CH₂CH₃)₂ 4 mM 3 100 87.1 (R) 94. (S) CH(CH₂)₄ 4 mM 3 94.2 88.5 (R) (Cyclopentyl) 95. (S) C(CH₃)₃ 4 mM 3 100 82.8 (R) 96. (S) (−)-Menthyl 4 mM 3 100 44.9 (R) 97. (S) (+)-Menthyl 4 mM 3 96.0 53.0 (R) 

1. A process for the asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation, hydroborination or hydrocyanation of prochiral olefins, ketones or ketimines, characterized in that the catalysts have chiral monophosphites or their monothio derivatives as ligands.
 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein metal complexes of the ligands I to IV are employed:

wherein Y represents oxygen or sulfur, and the residue R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, saturated and unsaturated linear and branched C₁ to C₅₀ alkyl, C₁ to C₅₀ aryl and heteroaryl groups; and the residues R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R^(1′), R^(2′), R^(3′), R^(4′), R^(5′), R^(6′) independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, saturated and unsaturated linear and branched C₁ to C₅₀ alkyl, C₁ to C₅₀ aryl, C₁ to C₅₀ heteroaryl, alkinyl, silyl, nitro, nitrile, ester, carboxy, carbonyl, amide, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, sulfide and selenide groups; wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R^(1′), R^(2′), R^(3′), R^(4′), R^(5′) and R^(6′) independently may themselves bear further substituents or be functionalized; wherein one or more carbon atoms of the binaphthyl core or biphenyl core of structures I or II may be independently replaced by the heteroatoms Si, O, N or S; wherein X may be oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen, wherein, when X=O or X=S, the substituents R¹ and R^(1′) are omitted.
 3. The process according to claim 2, wherein a ligand of formula I or III is employed.
 4. The process according to claim 2, wherein a ligand of formula II or IV is employed, wherein R⁴=R^(4′)=H and R is chiral.
 5. The process according to claim 2, wherein a ligand of formula II or IV is employed, wherein R⁴≠H and R^(4′)≠H.
 6. The process according to claims 1 to 5, wherein said transition metal catalysts contain transition metals of groups VIII and Ib of the Periodic Table.
 7. The process according to claims 1 to 6, wherein one of the complexes VI to XXIX is employed as the catalyst, wherein Z is an anion selected from the group consisting of BF₄ ⁻, BAr₄ ⁻, SbF₆ ⁻ and PF₆ ⁻, wherein Ar=phenyl or

[2I·Rh(cod)Z] [2II·Rh(cod)Z] [2III·Rh(cod)Z] [2IV·Rh(cod)Z] VI VII VIII IX [2I·Ru(cymol)Cl]Z [2II·Ru(cymol)Cl]Z [2III·Ru(cymol)Cl Z] [2IV·Ru(cymol)Cl]Z X XI XII XIII [2I·Ir(cod)Z] [2II·Ir(cod)Z] [2III·IR(cod)Z] [2IV·Ir(cod)Z] XIV XV XVI XVII [2I·Ni(cod)] [2II·Ni(cod)] [2III·Ni(cod)] [2IV·Ni(cod)] XIIX XIX XX XXI [2I·Pd(CH₃)₂] [2II·Pd(CH₃)₂] [2III·Pd(CH₃)₂] [2IV·Pd(CH₃)₂] XXII XXIII XXIV XXV [2I·Pt(cod)] [2II·Pt(cod)] [2III·Pt(cod)] [2IV·Pt(cod)] XXVI XXVII XXIIX XXIX


8. The process according to claim 1 for asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogenation.
 9. The process according to claim 1 for asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydroborination.
 10. The process according to claim 1 for asymmetrical transition-metal-catalyzed hydrocyanation. 